Cruise Lines Sailing to Asia

The largest continent on Earth has grown from a local to an international cruise market. Travelers as far away as Europe and North America yearn to experience its history, beautiful natural wonders, exhilarating urban centers, and many cultures. Foreigners aside, Asia’s own population has experienced significant monetary gains in recent years, with an expected 100 million people per year able to afford a cruise. Because of this, liners from globally-ubiquitous Royal Caribbean to locally-known Star further cater to customers traveling out of India, South Korea, China, or Japan.

In years past, Asia, much like Australia, appeared too far off, too exclusive for most travelers; instead, the country was seen as a luxury or expedition market. Now, Royal Caribbean has locations based in Dubai and East Asia, while Holland America and Princess ships frequently pass through.

Viking River

For Westerners, Viking dominates the Asian river cruise market. Such trips, characterized by a slower pace and more time spent in ports, offer a view of China and Southeast Asia, including visits to the Great Wall and Forbidden City, the Floating Markets in Bangkok, and the French colonial influence in Ho Chi Minh City.

Oceania

Oceania’s Nautica ship is a fixture in both East and Southeast Asia, offering short and log excursions anywhere from Beijing to Bangkok, with Singapore and Hong Kong frequent departure ports. Palaces, pagodas, and urban centers can be explored through overnight stops, while longer excursions take travelers as far as Rome and Mumbai.

Azamara Club Cruises

Experience many sights across Asia onboard the Azamara Journey. Trips from Greece let passengers experience the cultures of the Middle East and India, while more localized cruises stop in Burma, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

Azamara, however, hasn’t forgotten about East Asia, with cruises exclusively focusing on this region. Long and short trips let travelers see the sights and taste the cuisines of China, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong; Taiwan; and Japan, including Tokyo, Okinawa, and Kyoto.

Crystal Cruises

For the traveler looking to explore Asia in luxury, Crystal presents the most advantageous combination. Beautiful vessels offer frequent transpacific trips from the United States to Australia, with stops along the way in Asia, or even from Singapore to Cape Town, South Africa. Crystal’s smaller vessels allow for expansive itineraries all over Southeast and East Asia, with some even lasting up to 50 days.

Silversea

On board the Silver Wind or the Silver Shadow, travelers have a choice of itineraries when it comes to Southeast and East Asia. Explore the major urban centers and landmarks of China and Japan, or through a round trip to Singapore, see the flora and fauna, historical sites, and beautiful beaches of Indonesia.

Holland America

Passengers onboard these classically-styled ships can explore East and Southeast Asia through more than one route. With itineraries covering common points in Vietnam, Japan, China, and Thailand, Holland America’s cruises start from Asia to travel south to Australia, go round-trip from Singapore, move northward to Hong Kong, or offer a comprehensive tour of the continent’s eastern region.

For those looking for adventure and with more time at sea, consider one of Holland America’s Spice Route cruises: going from Europe to Singapore, such trips go along the Asian coastline, offering glimpses of Middle Eastern, Indian, and Southeast Asian ports and cities.

Celebrity Cruises

Providing a standard, if not slightly small, selection of itineraries, Celebrity covers the typical trips. East Asian cruises circle around China, Japan, and Korea’s main ports, while Southeast Asia is covered through a Hong Kong to Singapore trip. For something different, travelers looking for a greater, more comprehensive look of Southeast Asia can schedule a trip exclusively stopping in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Princess Cruises

While offering trips that traveled through Southeast Asia, Princess recently announced changes for its cruises in this area of the world. Starting April 2013, a 17-day Grand Asia cruise lets travelers experience the cultures and sights of Nagasaki, Ho Chi Minh City, and Singapore. Longer trips, too, are an option: at sea for up to 61 days, cruisers can plan a trip with stops in Africa, India, Australia, Europe, and Asia.

This isn’t to say Princess only sticks with longer itineraries. Shorter trips, some just two days long, give a glimpse into the culture and history of the region.

Royal Caribbean

Unlike its competitors in the Asian cruise market, Royal Caribbean keeps it short and sweet. Excursions last no more than 12 days, with some just three nights. Depending upon the itinerary, trips either focus on Southeast or East Asia, with ships like the Mariner of the Seas stopping in Hong Kong, China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangkok, Cambodia, Vietnam, and even India.